car starting problems
 

ok guys... i sometimes have a problem when i try to start my car... i will turn the key and i hear a click like the start is trying to turn but nothing happens...ill have to turn the key off then keep trying.... eventually it works...sometimes it starts on the first try..others itll take me 3 or 4 or more...but eventually it does work... it is just really annoying. to me it doesnt seem like its a vats thing but i could be wrong... any suggestions? (p.s. i did search the forums before makign this thread, just didn't seem like anyone had the same symptoms)

Do you have any security or SES lights on? Battery voltage ok?

most of the time the security light doesnt come one... every once in a while when it does become involved the car has to sit for a little bit so that i can start it... bust most of the time the security light isnt involved... and no to the ses... i can check the voltage but i am pretty sure it is ok... ive checked it before

check your battery voltage when it does this, then check the voltage at the starter. if both check out, hit the starter with a hammer while the key is turned over. if the starter works, you need a starter!

Try to get a rubber or dead blow hammer please though. Would suck to ruin a good starter.

play with the positive battery wire also...make sure its got good contact at the battery and at the starter. you can have voltage all day...it doesnt matter if you have no amperage to turn the starter.

thanks for your suggestions guys... ill get back to you a little later this weekend because my car is stuck at home and im stuck at school! (I lost my keys sometime over thanksgiving weekend and had to hitch a ride back to school to get my spares)

definately definately definately check and clean your battery terminals. ive had this happen on my turd gen, and i thought it was a vats prob, but i started with the basics and solved that prob. even if u think those terminals are good, disconnect em, clean and put back on battery. let us know how u make out

its a good idea, but rarely do the side terminals get corroded. they could be loose though. i always assume too much when i give advice.

Sounds similar to my car. I'm guessing yours is automatic, if its manual leave it in gear and let it roll back slightly then start it while letting off the clutch. Thats how I start mine when it does that. If its auto I cant help ya

it is manual... i guess i coulda tried that haha... im gonna clean the battery terminals tomorrow though and hope that fixes it

yo baking soda and a little battery terminal cleaner spray will do wonders on corrosion. be careful with it. use a wire brush too.

i really dont think its corroded the last tiem i looked at it but who knows... maybe itll just help a little bit

I doubt its corroded. Believe me Ive been fighting with my starter since I bought my car. Yeah when it wont start do what I said, you'll look really cool pushing your car across the parking lot hahaha. But seriously I guarantee its the starter.

check the battery voltage with a digivoltometer. should be 12.6 or around there for a good battery. so check the starter voltage...while cranking the battery will register somewhere around 10.83 volts on a good battery. if the battery and voltage are low check the connections to the starter....if those are good then i would suggest that you replace the starter.




btw pouring a can of soda on a corroded battery will eat the acid right off :nod:

thanks... i am done for the semester on wednesday so i will be coming home and then i can try some of the things you guys said... nasty which hamilton are you from?

hey, glad you figured it out. yeah like i said, torn/burned wires and water make for crazy results. sorry i didnt reply back sooner, its crazy here with all the out-loading and people leaving already, plus the holidays.

mercer county

oh ok where abouts? i live near steinert

im also from the hamilton area.......if you need another set of eyes to try and get an idea

haha i live right off Klockner Rd by Applebee's on 33 :-P hit me up with a pm if needed. seems the hamilton area people are growing. :nod: